Record numbers in the SsangYong Canterbury 10 Mile Road Race for a third consecutive year!

For the third year in succession, record numbers of runners turned out to take part in the Canterbury 10 Mile Road Race, held on Sunday 21st January. There were 1500 entrants and around 1400 finishers, making this the largest event of its kind in East Kent. The annual event with new sponsor, Korean Car Brand SsangYong, was once again based at Christ Church University Sports Centre. The event also supported the Pilgrims Hospices and a cheque for £ 1,500.00 was collected by their Event Organiser Lydia Todd.

It was an initially cold but dry morning that became wet and snowy as the race progressed. However, this did not stop the runners and spectators who lined the picturesque route.

The race resulted in a fourth win in a row for Invicta East Kent AC’s Abel Tsegay, and in a great competition the first 3 finishers all set big personal bests. Abel pulled away from the field early on in the race and secured his victory in a time of 51m 13sec. He was followed home in second by Medway and Maidstone athlete Tewelde Menges in a time of 53m 16sec. Third finisher was local Canterbury Harrier, Peter Hogben with a time of 54m 11s

A stunning run in the ladies event by Tonbridge AC’s Nicole Taylor saw the fastest time in the race since 2005 with 58m 34sec, a personal best and fastest in the UK so far this year. She ran much of the race up with a group of the elite male runners. She was followed home in second by previous winner Tina Oldershaw, also from Tonbridge AC in a creditable time of 63m 34sec. Third lady was Renata McDonnell of Deal Tri Club who held off last years’ runner-up Hazel Behagg of Dartford Road Runners. She also set a big PB with a time of 64m 17sec.

There were various age group winners as follows :

Men V40 Julian Rendall (Tonbridge AC) 54m 18sec

Men V50 Andrew Howie (Tunbridge Wells Harriers) 59m 35sec

Men V60 John Gurney (Petts Wood Runners) 67m 41sec

Men V70 David Winch (Thanet Roadrunners) 71m 25sec

Ladies V35 Hazel Behagg (Dartford Road Runners) 64m 37sec

Ladies V45 Tracey Wilkinson-Begg (Folkestone AC) 66mn 58sec

Ladies V55 Christine Costiff (Ashford & District RRC) 74m 55sec

Ladies V65 Barbara Baker (Bromley Vets AC) 99min 04sec

In the Men’s team race, Tonbridge AC (Harry Paton, Julian Rendall, Dan Bradley & Greg Cole) won, overcoming a strong challenge from Medway and Maidstone AC. In the Ladies team race Tonbridge AC (Nicole Taylor, Tina Oldershaw & Antonia Skerritt) also came home in first place.

Race Director Glenn Mousley said : “the race ran smoothly with some excellent performances and many personal bests. Our team of helpers put in a lot of work to make the race as good as it was and should be thanked. However, we should also applaud the runners who turned out is such large numbers to help make the race a success and the various sponsors support, without whom the race could not take place. We will be back in 2019”

Prizes were presented in a packed hall by Glenn Mousley and Invicta East Kent AC’s Coaching Co-ordinator Peter Mullervy.